Thousands gather around country to remember war dead

Thousands of New Zealanders turned out to attend Anzac Day dawn ceremonies throughout the country this morning.

About 8000 attended the Auckland dawn service, 5000 in Wellington and more than 7000 in Christchurch.

There was a strong family presence at all services with representatives of several generations of some families attending.

The weather was fine and in Auckland and Christchurch was wet and cold in Wellington for the 5.30am services commemorating the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli in 1915 during World War 1.

Of the 8556 New Zealand soldiers who served on the Gallipoli Peninsula, 2721 died and the 26,000 Australian casualties included 8000 dead.

In Wellington New Zealand Army Chief Major General Jerry Mateparae told the crowd at the cenotaph in front of Parliament that Anzac Day was a time to reflect on peace and war.

"We should also reflect on the tragedy of Gallipoli and the many other battles that New Zealander's have fought in.

"We gather not to glorify war but to celebrate the hope that comes with peace -- that some good can come even from horrific circumstances."

He said it was more important to remember what happened on Anzac Day now that survivors had died.

In Auckland veterans marched onto the parade ground at the Cenotaph, at the war memorial in The Domain.

Auckland mayor John Banks told the crowd that at dawn on April 25, Anzac received its baptism of fire and became one of the immortal names in history.

"We who are gathered here think of the comrades who then and since, fought for freedom on land, sea and in the air, but did not return."

He asked those gathered to try to be worthy of the sacrifice of those who died.

"As the dawn is even now about to pierce the night, so let their memory inspire us to work for the coming of new light into the dark places of the world.

"We will remember them," Mr Banks said.

Christchurch Returned Services Association vice president Russell Barron said the service in Cathedral Square was powerful.

"It was very, very moving."

He said people from all walks of life attended the service and a large turn-out was expected at a mid-morning service at Christchurch Cathedral.

A record 2000-strong crowd gathered at the Mount Maunganui cenotaph .

Mount RSA president Alex Pluck said freedom should be treasured and the sacrifice at Gallipoli remembered.

"You fought to set aside an inheritance for our children's children, while your own youth was lost to the lethal necessities of war and is still endured through the stain of memories that can never be made to go away."

Prime Minister Helen Clark was to commemorate Anzac Day in London, attending services and laying wreaths in St Paul's Cathedral and Whitehall and doing a reading in Westminster Abbey.

Tomorrow she will attend Belgian commemorations and on Sunday visit Le Quesnoy, the French village liberated by New Zealand soldiers in the last days of World War 1.

Yesterday Miss Clark said from Belgium that Europe remembered New Zealand's sacrifice.

"The feeling that New Zealand played a part in defending the old democracies of Europe is important," she told reporters.

"It's certainly very much remembered in Britain and also in France and Belgium."

Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright spoke at Gallipoli in Turkey and spoke of the combatants' bravery.

Cabinet minister Jim Anderton, representing the Government, said Anzac campaigns in Turkey and Greece in the two world wars were defining moments for New Zealand and New Zealanders.

"The memorials here remind us again of the horrors of war and the tragic loss of young lives which was the price of fighting here," he said.

Dame Silvia is on a state visit to Turkey and is due to meet President Necdet Sezer in Ankara.

- NZPA

Herald Feature: Anzac Day

Highlights of the 2002 Anzac photo exhibition: